Mikko Esko, who has now ended his playing career, left the court in great style, and being chosen as the league’s best player for his final full competitive month was well deserved. Esko led the Turku-based team to a strong finish in the regular season and to one playoff victory against Hurrikaani during the month.
Megija Dambrehte continued her strong performances as the opposite hitter for Pölkky Kuusamo, who won the regular season and opened the playoffs impressively.
The women’s March All-Star Team features no fewer than four players from Pölkky Kuusamo: in addition to opposite hitter Dambrehte, they are outside hitter Bridgette Smith, middle blocker Nelly Kinnunen, and libero Netta Laaksonen. From Puijo Wolley, setter Liina Räty and outside hitter Ada Aronen were selected, and from LP Viesti, middle blocker Ella Autere.
This is already the fourth All-Star selection of the season for both Dambrehte and Aronen, and the third for Autere.
For Laaksonen, the selection was the 13th of her career. Only Hillaelina Hämäläinen (26), Viktoriia Tuchashvili (20), Tiiamari Sievänen (16), Dubravka Rakic (15), and Kaisa Jokinen (15) have more.
The men’s All-Star Team includes players from four different clubs. TUTO Volley’s representative is setter Esko; Akaa-Volley’s is libero Kandai Goto; Hurrikaani-Loimaa’s is middle blocker Nuutti Niinivaara; and Savo Volley’s is outside hitter Aleksi Muukkonen. The only club with multiple selections was AC Oulu Volley, with three players: opposite hitter Samuel Jackman, middle blocker Matthew Gentry, and outside hitter Jan Helenius.
The players with the most All-Star selections in the men’s league are now Mikko Esko (25), Olli Kunnari (21), Tommi Siirilä (15), and Matti Oivanen (14).
Players of the Month have been selected since 2003; this was the 145th time. Monthly All-Star Teams have been chosen since 2010.
The selections are made by the head coaches of the Mestaruusliiga teams.
VitaePro “Most Agile Player of the Month”
Megija Dambrehte, Pölkky Kuusamo
Mikko Esko, TUTO Volley
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Women’s March 2026 All-Star Team
Setter: Liina Räty, Puijo Wolley (6th selection)
Opposite: Megija Dambrehte, Pölkky Kuusamo (9)
Outside Hitter: Bridgette Smith, Pölkky Kuusamo (3)
Outside Hitter: Ada Aronen, Puijo Wolley (7)
Middle Blocker: Ella Autere, LP Viesti (7)
Middle Blocker: Nelly Kinnunen, Pölkky Kuusamo (2)
Libero: Netta Laaksonen, Pölkky Kuusamo (13)
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Men’s March 2026 All-Star Team
Setter: Mikko Esko, TUTO Volley (25th selection)
Opposite: Samuel Jackman, AC Oulu Volley (1)
Outside Hitter: Aleksi Muukkonen, Savo Volley (2)
Outside Hitter: Jan Helenius, AC Oulu Volley (4)
Middle Blocker: Nuutti Niinivaara, Hurrikaani-Loimaa (2)
Middle Blocker: Matt Gentry, AC Oulu Volley (2)
Libero: Kandai Goto, Akaa-Volley (3)
Text: Toni Flink
